Replies

1. 
   MBerger | Feb 19, 2008 06:29pm | #1

   Paul.

   So sorry for the delay getting to your question. I hope I didn't slow down your project too much.

   I've been thinking a bit about your question and my first suggestion would not be to notch for the shelf, but rather design stretchers into the lower legs that support a shelf.

   You could design it with two stretchers, one on each side of the table, that support a shelf. Or you could install four stretchers that hold a shelf like a frame-and-panel. The first option is probably more suitable for a Shaker-style table.

   Alternatively, you could notch the shelf and intall support blocks on the legs that hold the shelf where it meets the leg.

   I've never really inspected a table that had notches cut into the legs so i'm not going to speculate on the best method for accomplishing that.

   Matt Berger
   Fine Woodworking

    

1. 
   paul_t | Mar 13, 2008 08:51pm | #2

   Matt,

   Thanks for the tips.  I like your idea about the stretchers.  Before I try it, I may experiment with notching the legs on some scrap.  Here's what I have in mind.  I would make a jig that would hold a leg on a 45 degree angle with the inside edge up.  Mount my stacked dado on the radial arm saw and set the depth of cut to about 3/4" into the inside edge

   After I build the insert, I cut each corner on a 45 degree angle. The amount of corner removed would be the same as the depth of the notch in each leg.  Then it's just a matter of gluing the insert into the notches when I assemble the table.  I think that not notching the legs too deep would be the key to this approach.

   Sometimes my brilliant ideas work better in my head than they do in application.  If I get in over my head, I'll try your stretcher idea.  Thanks for the help.

   Paul